Portable target

ABSTRACT

A portable shooting target. The portable target assembles on site from flat pieces that are anchored in place. The portable target includes a back target plate inclined downward to direct gunfire typically into the ground in front of the portable target.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/700,057 filed Jul. 18, 2018, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This description relates generally to marksmanship and more specifically to portable targets used by marksmen.

BACKGROUND

Shooting targets are objects in various forms and shapes that are used for pistol, rifle, shotgun and other shooting sports, as well as other sports such as archery and the like. In circular form the center is often called the bulls eye. Targets can be made of paper, “self healing” latex material, steel, or the like. Electronic targets can provide the shooter with precise feedback of the shot placement.

When target shooting finding a suitable target and backstop can be challenging, especially when shooting outdoors. Indoor target ranges often have a fixed lane arrangement, with elaborate traps to catch bullets, and prevent ricochets from hurting marksmen. Outdoor target shooting can be more challenging as the marksman must typically find a support for his target, and a suitable backstop. Accordingly it would be advantageous to provide a portable shooting target that supports the target, and provides a backstop.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure and it does not identify key/critical elements of the invention or delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed herein in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The present example provides a portable target that includes a downward angled backstop that directs bullets impinging upon its surfaces into the ground in front of the target. The target is held securely in place by cleats integral to the target leg and by one or more hold down forks.

Many of the attendant features will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present description will be better understood from the following detailed description read in light of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a conventional pistol target shooting set-up.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the portable target set up for use.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the portable shooting target.

FIG. 4 shows details of an example of the target plate.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a hold down fork.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a target leg.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a process for setting up the portable target.

Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts in the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description provided below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the present examples and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present example may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions of the example and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the example. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different examples.

The examples below describe a portable target. Although the present examples are described and illustrated herein as being implemented in a pistol shooting environment, the system described is provided as an example and not a limitation. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the present examples are suitable for application in a variety of different types of shooting systems, such as pistol, rifle, shotgun, and the like.

This portable target advantageously directs an impinging bullet into the ground after striking the target, without destroying the target or causing substantial movement, as the target is anchored to the ground.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional pistol target shooting set-up. In the outdoor shooting set up shown a shooter 101, is shooting a pistol 107 at a target 105. Before shooting the shooter typically selects a safe location that provides a backstop 109, capable of stopping further travel of the bullet 113, and tending to minimize ricochets 111. In outdoor shooting the bullet path 103 typically passes through the target 105 and travels on to the backstop 109. Often the terrain may not allow for a good backstop to be found. For example gravel pits, and stream beads may often be utilized for shooting, since the walls may be used to serve as backstops. Sometimes such natural features for a backstop may not be available at a shooting location. The examples described below describe a portable target that includes an integral backstop that directs spent bullets into the ground, and may be placed in a great variety of locations.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the portable target set up for use. The target is easily carried in the field in a disassembled state and then assembled and then taken down after use.

The target plate 201 may have a target 203 disposed on either side. To change the target the plate may be reversed. Alternatively the plate may be provided with clips, tape or the like to hold a user supplied target in place. In a further alternative example an electronic target system may also be utilized as a target.

This is a rear view showing the hold down forks 205 that may be used to hold the target 200 in place. The hold down forks 205 are typically driven into the ground with a hammer or the like with the body of the target legs 207 between the two tines of the fork 205. The forks 205 may be used on either side of the target plate 201, or alternatively in both locations. The forks fit over, or straddle a pair of legs 207 that act as a holder to support the target plate 201 and keep it positioned upright.

Typically the forks are driven in over the rear portion of the target legs. However they may in alternative examples be driven over the front portion of the target legs. Further in alternative examples to aid assembly parts assembled towards the shooter may be color coded red or the like, while parts assembled in back of the target plate may be color coded blue or the like.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the portable shooting target. Typically the parts (two legs 207, target plate 201 and a pair of target legs 207) are carried in a bag (not shown) to the desired location. Slots (or notches) in the steel target plate 201 are assembled into the target leg slots (or notches) disposed in each target leg 207 configured as interlocking slots 313. In alternative examples it is contemplated that different methods of coupling the target plate 201 to the legs 207 are possible. In fact it is contemplated that various other support structures capable of holding the target plate in a forward pitched position 309 may be possible, and the portable target could even be fabricated as a solid piece if desired.

As can be seen the target plate 201 leans forward slightly 309 (typically 15 degrees from vertical) to direct bullets impinging on to it into the ground.

Slots on the target plate 201 are inserted into two slots disposed in a pair of target legs 207. The target leg slots are oriented such that they are 15 degrees from vertical, causing the surface of the target plate 201 facing the shooter to be tilting down slightly. The interlocking slots in the target plate 201 and the target legs 207 aid in keeping the assembly in place during set up.

The rear portion tends to be longer than the front portion 307 of the target leg 207 to enhance stability. Also a plurality of cleats 3021 may be provided so that the legs 207 may be secured at ground level 311 by stepping on them or driving them in, so that the notched leg body 303 rests against the ground 311.

The hold down fork 205 is shown mounted in the front portion and in the rear portion 305. The hold down forks 205 may be used in either position or equivalently in both locations.

A bullet hitting the target is directed downward from the target plate face into the dirt or other soft surface onto which the portable steel target is mounted. The downward angle is increased since the target is close to the ground and the shooter is typically standing. Dimensions shown in the following figures are exemplary only, and are not intended to be limiting. The pieces may be unfinished, or may be coated, painted or plated as desired. In alternative examples equivalent materials may be used.

FIG. 4 shows details of an example of the target plate. The steel target plate 201 is typically square in shape. However, other shapes may equivalently be provided such as rectangular, rectangular with rounded corners, oval, round, shapes made of compound curves, and the like. The target may be engraved, etched, painted, or otherwise provided on the plate surface. Alternatively a paper, or equivalent, target may be affixed to the front surface of the steel plate.

The plate is typically flat and may be made from one half inch thick (or equivalent) AR-500 grade steel or equivalent. AR500 steel is short for Abrasion Resistant (AR) steel with a Brinell hardness of 500. The chemical make-up varies but the standard AR500 steel consists of C— 0.30%, Si— 0.70%, Mn— 1.70%, Cr— 1.00%, Ni— 0.80%, Mo— 0.50% and B— 0.004%. As a safety precaution, steel targets typically must be made out of hardened steel. The steel should have a Brinell value of typically 500 or above. A typical range may be 515-540. At higher Brinell values are the steel may be too brittle for target use. Hardened steel is available in different Brinell values, thicknesses. Also stainless variants are also available.

Regular steel is typically too soft, resulting in bullets either punching through the target or making a crater whereupon subsequent bullets may bounce back toward the shooter or spectators, often with great force.

The plate forms a right quadrilateral with two notches or slots 401 disposed along one edge of four edges. The slots are generally rectangular, with the short edge of the rectangular slot coincident with a slot edge of the quadrilateral. The slots are typically spaced equidistant from the ends of the slot edge.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a hold down fork. Each hold down fork 205 of the pair of hold down forks may be fabricated from AR-500 steel (or equivalent), and is typically one quarter inch thick or equivalent. The tines 501 of the fork, coupled at a head end 503, may be pointed to aid in their being driven into the ground. Also, in alternative examples the opposing tine faces near the surface 503 connecting the tines may be made a little closer together to more securely engage the target legs when assembled. That is the legs may slightly splay out.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a target leg. Each target leg 207 is typically flat and made of AR-500 steel (or equivalent). Each leg 207 is typically one quarter inch thick or equivalent.

A plurality of cleats are periodically disposed along a bottom edge of the target leg 207. In alternative examples fewer, or more, than the 4 cleats may be used. In an alternative example no cleats are present.

A slot 603 in the target leg 207 is dimensioned to be interlocking with the mating slot (401 of FIG. 4) in the target plate (201 of FIG. 4), and the slot has side walls that are typically 15 degrees from vertical. In further alternative examples the front portions and rear portions may be of equal length, or the front portion may, in a further alternative example, be longer than the rear portion.

The target leg includes a first cleat 601 coupled to a first land 605 that is in turn coupled to a second cleat 607. The second cleat 607 is coupled to a second land 609, which is coupled to a third cleat 611. The third cleat 611 is coupled to a third land 613 that is coupled to a fourth cleat 615. The fourth cleat 615 is coupled to a first end of a front portion 307 of the target leg, and a second end of the front portion 307 is coupled to a slot 603 at a first slot edge. The second edge of the slot 603 is coupled to a first end of a rear portion 305 of the target leg. A second end of the rear portion 305 of the target leg 305 is coupled to the first cleat 601.

The front portion is inclined going towards the slot 603, and the rear portion 305 is inclined as it approaches the slot 603. The inclines are typically linear in form, The cleats 601, 607, 611, 615 are typically tapered, and of equal length, however cleats of differing lengths are possible. The slot is positioned at an angle of typically 15 degrees from vertical.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a process for setting up the portable target. At block 701 the slots in the target plate are engaged with the slots in the target legs. At block 703 the assembled legs and target plate are set onto the ground. At block 705 the cleats on the legs are pressed into the ground, typically by standing on them. And finally at block 707 one or more hold down forks may be installed over the target legs and be driven into the ground to further stabilize the target by further fixing the position of the target legs.

Those skilled in the art will realize that the process sequences described above may be equivalently performed in any order to achieve a desired result. Also, sub-processes may typically be omitted as desired without taking away from the overall functionality of the processes described above. 

1. A portable target comprising: a target plate including a pair of symmetrical slots disposed along an edge. at least two target legs having a bottom edge with at least one cleat, and a slot along a top edge, the slot tilted substantially 15 degrees from vertical, for engagement with a slot of the target plate.
 2. The portable target of claim 1 further comprising at least two hold down forks disposed over the target legs.
 3. The portable target of claim 1 in which the slit is tilted towards a shorter front portion of the target leg.
 4. The portable target of claim 1 in which the target plate is made from one-half inch thick AR-500 steel.
 5. The portable target of claim 1, in which the target plate is square with sides 9.5 inches in length. 